Frontend development patterns for React, Next.js, state management, performance optimization, and UI best practices.
Frontend Development Patterns
Modern frontend patterns for React, Next.js, and performant user interfaces.
Component Patterns
Composition Over Inheritance
1// ✅ GOOD: Component composition
2interface CardProps {
3 children: React.ReactNode
4 variant?: 'default' | 'outlined'
5}
6
7export function Card({ children, variant = 'default' }: CardProps) {
8 return <div className={`card card-${variant}`}>{children}</div>
9}
10
11export function CardHeader({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
12 return <div className="card-header">{children}</div>
13}
14
15export function CardBody({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
16 return <div className="card-body">{children}</div>
17}
18
19// Usage
20<Card>
21 <CardHeader>Title</CardHeader>
22 <CardBody>Content</CardBody>
23</Card>Compound Components
1interface TabsContextValue {
2 activeTab: string
3 setActiveTab: (tab: string) => void
4}
5
6const TabsContext = createContext<TabsContextValue | undefined>(undefined)
7
8export function Tabs({ children, defaultTab }: {
9 children: React.ReactNode
10 defaultTab: string
11}) {
12 const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState(defaultTab)
13
14 return (
15 <TabsContext.Provider value={{ activeTab, setActiveTab }}>
16 {children}
17 </TabsContext.Provider>
18 )
19}
20
21export function TabList({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
22 return <div className="tab-list">{children}</div>
23}
24
25export function Tab({ id, children }: { id: string, children: React.ReactNode }) {
26 const context = useContext(TabsContext)
27 if (!context) throw new Error('Tab must be used within Tabs')
28
29 return (
30 <button
31 className={context.activeTab === id ? 'active' : ''}
32 onClick={() => context.setActiveTab(id)}
33 >
34 {children}
35 </button>
36 )
37}
38
39// Usage
40<Tabs defaultTab="overview">
41 <TabList>
42 <Tab id="overview">Overview</Tab>
43 <Tab id="details">Details</Tab>
44 </TabList>
45</Tabs>Render Props Pattern
1interface DataLoaderProps<T> {
2 url: string
3 children: (data: T | null, loading: boolean, error: Error | null) => React.ReactNode
4}
5
6export function DataLoader<T>({ url, children }: DataLoaderProps<T>) {
7 const [data, setData] = useState<T | null>(null)
8 const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true)
9 const [error, setError] = useState<Error | null>(null)
10
11 useEffect(() => {
12 fetch(url)
13 .then(res => res.json())
14 .then(setData)
15 .catch(setError)
16 .finally(() => setLoading(false))
17 }, [url])
18
19 return <>{children(data, loading, error)}</>
20}
21
22// Usage
23<DataLoader<Market[]> url="/api/markets">
24 {(markets, loading, error) => {
25 if (loading) return <Spinner />
26 if (error) return <Error error={error} />
27 return <MarketList markets={markets!} />
28 }}
29</DataLoader>Custom Hooks Patterns
State Management Hook
1export function useToggle(initialValue = false): [boolean, () => void] {
2 const [value, setValue] = useState(initialValue)
3
4 const toggle = useCallback(() => {
5 setValue(v => !v)
6 }, [])
7
8 return [value, toggle]
9}
10
11// Usage
12const [isOpen, toggleOpen] = useToggle()Async Data Fetching Hook
1interface UseQueryOptions<T> {
2 onSuccess?: (data: T) => void
3 onError?: (error: Error) => void
4 enabled?: boolean
5}
6
7export function useQuery<T>(
8 key: string,
9 fetcher: () => Promise<T>,
10 options?: UseQueryOptions<T>
11) {
12 const [data, setData] = useState<T | null>(null)
13 const [error, setError] = useState<Error | null>(null)
14 const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false)
15
16 const refetch = useCallback(async () => {
17 setLoading(true)
18 setError(null)
19
20 try {
21 const result = await fetcher()
22 setData(result)
23 options?.onSuccess?.(result)
24 } catch (err) {
25 const error = err as Error
26 setError(error)
27 options?.onError?.(error)
28 } finally {
29 setLoading(false)
30 }
31 }, [fetcher, options])
32
33 useEffect(() => {
34 if (options?.enabled !== false) {
35 refetch()
36 }
37 }, [key, refetch, options?.enabled])
38
39 return { data, error, loading, refetch }
40}
41
42// Usage
43const { data: markets, loading, error, refetch } = useQuery(
44 'markets',
45 () => fetch('/api/markets').then(r => r.json()),
46 {
47 onSuccess: data => console.log('Fetched', data.length, 'markets'),
48 onError: err => console.error('Failed:', err)
49 }
50)Debounce Hook
1export function useDebounce<T>(value: T, delay: number): T {
2 const [debouncedValue, setDebouncedValue] = useState<T>(value)
3
4 useEffect(() => {
5 const handler = setTimeout(() => {
6 setDebouncedValue(value)
7 }, delay)
8
9 return () => clearTimeout(handler)
10 }, [value, delay])
11
12 return debouncedValue
13}
14
15// Usage
16const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('')
17const debouncedQuery = useDebounce(searchQuery, 500)
18
19useEffect(() => {
20 if (debouncedQuery) {
21 performSearch(debouncedQuery)
22 }
23}, [debouncedQuery])State Management Patterns
Context + Reducer Pattern
1interface State {
2 markets: Market[]
3 selectedMarket: Market | null
4 loading: boolean
5}
6
7type Action =
8 | { type: 'SET_MARKETS'; payload: Market[] }
9 | { type: 'SELECT_MARKET'; payload: Market }
10 | { type: 'SET_LOADING'; payload: boolean }
11
12function reducer(state: State, action: Action): State {
13 switch (action.type) {
14 case 'SET_MARKETS':
15 return { ...state, markets: action.payload }
16 case 'SELECT_MARKET':
17 return { ...state, selectedMarket: action.payload }
18 case 'SET_LOADING':
19 return { ...state, loading: action.payload }
20 default:
21 return state
22 }
23}
24
25const MarketContext = createContext<{
26 state: State
27 dispatch: Dispatch<Action>
28} | undefined>(undefined)
29
30export function MarketProvider({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
31 const [state, dispatch] = useReducer(reducer, {
32 markets: [],
33 selectedMarket: null,
34 loading: false
35 })
36
37 return (
38 <MarketContext.Provider value={{ state, dispatch }}>
39 {children}
40 </MarketContext.Provider>
41 )
42}
43
44export function useMarkets() {
45 const context = useContext(MarketContext)
46 if (!context) throw new Error('useMarkets must be used within MarketProvider')
47 return context
48}Performance Optimization
Memoization
1// ✅ useMemo for expensive computations
2const sortedMarkets = useMemo(() => {
3 return markets.sort((a, b) => b.volume - a.volume)
4}, [markets])
5
6// ✅ useCallback for functions passed to children
7const handleSearch = useCallback((query: string) => {
8 setSearchQuery(query)
9}, [])
10
11// ✅ React.memo for pure components
12export const MarketCard = React.memo<MarketCardProps>(({ market }) => {
13 return (
14 <div className="market-card">
15 <h3>{market.name}</h3>
16 <p>{market.description}</p>
17 </div>
18 )
19})Code Splitting & Lazy Loading
1import { lazy, Suspense } from 'react'
2
3// ✅ Lazy load heavy components
4const HeavyChart = lazy(() => import('./HeavyChart'))
5const ThreeJsBackground = lazy(() => import('./ThreeJsBackground'))
6
7export function Dashboard() {
8 return (
9 <div>
10 <Suspense fallback={<ChartSkeleton />}>
11 <HeavyChart data={data} />
12 </Suspense>
13
14 <Suspense fallback={null}>
15 <ThreeJsBackground />
16 </Suspense>
17 </div>
18 )
19}Virtualization for Long Lists
1import { useVirtualizer } from '@tanstack/react-virtual'
2
3export function VirtualMarketList({ markets }: { markets: Market[] }) {
4 const parentRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
5
6 const virtualizer = useVirtualizer({
7 count: markets.length,
8 getScrollElement: () => parentRef.current,
9 estimateSize: () => 100, // Estimated row height
10 overscan: 5 // Extra items to render
11 })
12
13 return (
14 <div ref={parentRef} style={{ height: '600px', overflow: 'auto' }}>
15 <div
16 style={{
17 height: `${virtualizer.getTotalSize()}px`,
18 position: 'relative'
19 }}
20 >
21 {virtualizer.getVirtualItems().map(virtualRow => (
22 <div
23 key={virtualRow.index}
24 style={{
25 position: 'absolute',
26 top: 0,
27 left: 0,
28 width: '100%',
29 height: `${virtualRow.size}px`,
30 transform: `translateY(${virtualRow.start}px)`
31 }}
32 >
33 <MarketCard market={markets[virtualRow.index]} />
34 </div>
35 ))}
36 </div>
37 </div>
38 )
39}Form Handling Patterns
Controlled Form with Validation
1interface FormData {
2 name: string
3 description: string
4 endDate: string
5}
6
7interface FormErrors {
8 name?: string
9 description?: string
10 endDate?: string
11}
12
13export function CreateMarketForm() {
14 const [formData, setFormData] = useState<FormData>({
15 name: '',
16 description: '',
17 endDate: ''
18 })
19
20 const [errors, setErrors] = useState<FormErrors>({})
21
22 const validate = (): boolean => {
23 const newErrors: FormErrors = {}
24
25 if (!formData.name.trim()) {
26 newErrors.name = 'Name is required'
27 } else if (formData.name.length > 200) {
28 newErrors.name = 'Name must be under 200 characters'
29 }
30
31 if (!formData.description.trim()) {
32 newErrors.description = 'Description is required'
33 }
34
35 if (!formData.endDate) {
36 newErrors.endDate = 'End date is required'
37 }
38
39 setErrors(newErrors)
40 return Object.keys(newErrors).length === 0
41 }
42
43 const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => {
44 e.preventDefault()
45
46 if (!validate()) return
47
48 try {
49 await createMarket(formData)
50 // Success handling
51 } catch (error) {
52 // Error handling
53 }
54 }
55
56 return (
57 <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
58 <input
59 value={formData.name}
60 onChange={e => setFormData(prev => ({ ...prev, name: e.target.value }))}
61 placeholder="Market name"
62 />
63 {errors.name && <span className="error">{errors.name}</span>}
64
65 {/* Other fields */}
66
67 <button type="submit">Create Market</button>
68 </form>
69 )
70}Error Boundary Pattern
1interface ErrorBoundaryState {
2 hasError: boolean
3 error: Error | null
4}
5
6export class ErrorBoundary extends React.Component<
7 { children: React.ReactNode },
8 ErrorBoundaryState
9> {
10 state: ErrorBoundaryState = {
11 hasError: false,
12 error: null
13 }
14
15 static getDerivedStateFromError(error: Error): ErrorBoundaryState {
16 return { hasError: true, error }
17 }
18
19 componentDidCatch(error: Error, errorInfo: React.ErrorInfo) {
20 console.error('Error boundary caught:', error, errorInfo)
21 }
22
23 render() {
24 if (this.state.hasError) {
25 return (
26 <div className="error-fallback">
27 <h2>Something went wrong</h2>
28 <p>{this.state.error?.message}</p>
29 <button onClick={() => this.setState({ hasError: false })}>
30 Try again
31 </button>
32 </div>
33 )
34 }
35
36 return this.props.children
37 }
38}
39
40// Usage
41<ErrorBoundary>
42 <App />
43</ErrorBoundary>Animation Patterns
Framer Motion Animations
1import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion'
2
3// ✅ List animations
4export function AnimatedMarketList({ markets }: { markets: Market[] }) {
5 return (
6 <AnimatePresence>
7 {markets.map(market => (
8 <motion.div
9 key={market.id}
10 initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 20 }}
11 animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
12 exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -20 }}
13 transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
14 >
15 <MarketCard market={market} />
16 </motion.div>
17 ))}
18 </AnimatePresence>
19 )
20}
21
22// ✅ Modal animations
23export function Modal({ isOpen, onClose, children }: ModalProps) {
24 return (
25 <AnimatePresence>
26 {isOpen && (
27 <>
28 <motion.div
29 className="modal-overlay"
30 initial={{ opacity: 0 }}
31 animate={{ opacity: 1 }}
32 exit={{ opacity: 0 }}
33 onClick={onClose}
34 />
35 <motion.div
36 className="modal-content"
37 initial={{ opacity: 0, scale: 0.9, y: 20 }}
38 animate={{ opacity: 1, scale: 1, y: 0 }}
39 exit={{ opacity: 0, scale: 0.9, y: 20 }}
40 >
41 {children}
42 </motion.div>
43 </>
44 )}
45 </AnimatePresence>
46 )
47}Accessibility Patterns
Keyboard Navigation
1export function Dropdown({ options, onSelect }: DropdownProps) {
2 const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false)
3 const [activeIndex, setActiveIndex] = useState(0)
4
5 const handleKeyDown = (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
6 switch (e.key) {
7 case 'ArrowDown':
8 e.preventDefault()
9 setActiveIndex(i => Math.min(i + 1, options.length - 1))
10 break
11 case 'ArrowUp':
12 e.preventDefault()
13 setActiveIndex(i => Math.max(i - 1, 0))
14 break
15 case 'Enter':
16 e.preventDefault()
17 onSelect(options[activeIndex])
18 setIsOpen(false)
19 break
20 case 'Escape':
21 setIsOpen(false)
22 break
23 }
24 }
25
26 return (
27 <div
28 role="combobox"
29 aria-expanded={isOpen}
30 aria-haspopup="listbox"
31 onKeyDown={handleKeyDown}
32 >
33 {/* Dropdown implementation */}
34 </div>
35 )
36}Focus Management
1export function Modal({ isOpen, onClose, children }: ModalProps) {
2 const modalRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
3 const previousFocusRef = useRef<HTMLElement | null>(null)
4
5 useEffect(() => {
6 if (isOpen) {
7 // Save currently focused element
8 previousFocusRef.current = document.activeElement as HTMLElement
9
10 // Focus modal
11 modalRef.current?.focus()
12 } else {
13 // Restore focus when closing
14 previousFocusRef.current?.focus()
15 }
16 }, [isOpen])
17
18 return isOpen ? (
19 <div
20 ref={modalRef}
21 role="dialog"
22 aria-modal="true"
23 tabIndex={-1}
24 onKeyDown={e => e.key === 'Escape' && onClose()}
25 >
26 {children}
27 </div>
28 ) : null
29}Remember: Modern frontend patterns enable maintainable, performant user interfaces. Choose patterns that fit your project complexity.